Recommended Player for Gameweek 17

After endorsing a risky pick in gameweek 16, I am going for a tried and tested option for this gameweek. Thus my recommended player for gameweek 17 is a player that I already have in my team, it's Newcastle United's Demba Ba. Ok, so he didn't score last week - but he was very unlucky against a dogged Swansea team after hitting the post and having other good chances denied by their surprisingly strong defence. Demba Ba has been the source of many important United goals during this season. He had a slow start (in part due to religious obligations) by not scoring in the first five gameweeks. But he has proved his worth in a shoe-string budget Newcastle United team with 11 league goals in his last 11 league games, as well as contributing three assists. At 7.3 he is a steal - his price increased by a rapid 0.3 in the last gameweek after being signed up by a remarkable 100,000+ FPL gamers in the space of 7 days. His price is bound to increase even more especially with West Brom at (home) and Bolton (away) - he is Newcastle United's sole goal threat. But be warned. He will be absent from the Premier League for over a month as he is due to participate in the African Cup of Nations, after playing Manchester United on 4th January - so make sure you sell him after that match.

I have decided to make no transfers for this gameweek. This is due to my strong bench and intention to obtain an extra free transfer. My captain will be Demba Ba and my vice captain will be Robin Van Persie.